horse racing

Saturday May 4, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 4, 2019

Province’s funding cuts jeopardize 6,166 subsidized child care spaces in Toronto, staff says

Provincial funding cuts and policy changes could result in 6,166 fewer subsidized child care spaces in Toronto and cost the city more than $80-million this year alone, according to city staff.

In a memo to the mayor and council obtained by CBC Toronto on Thursday, City Manager Chris Murray detailed the potential impacts of a reduction in child care funding that was outlined in the province’s recent 2019 budget. The fallout will be compounded by considerable changes to existing child care-related cost-sharing models, the memo says.

“As with recent changes to the provincial/municipal cost-sharing arrangements for public health, the City was not consulted or provided with any advance warning of these changes,” the memo says.

Murray cautions that city staff are still awaiting precise numbers from the province, but they estimate that, cumulatively, the changes will cost Toronto $84.8 million this year. That figure includes a $28.6-million reduction in direct provincial funding and $56.2-million due to cost-sharing changes, the memo explains. 

“This represents a direct pressure on the 2019 Children’s Services Operating Budget, which city council has already approved and for which the municipal levy bylaw has been passed,” it continues.

The result is the potential loss of 6,166 subsidized child care spaces in Toronto, the memo estimates.

The overall number of child care spaces is not expected to change, but a smaller number will be filled by children who have access to the subsidy, the city says. (Source: CBC News) 

 

Tuesday April 10, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday April 10, 2012

Bratina taking a gamble on casino

Mayor Bob Bratina is attempting to woo officials to build a new, state-of-the art casino in Hamilton.

Bratina is scheduled to meet with officials at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission this month to talk about opportunities for the future. He told the Globe and Mail he’s already “put out feelers” to officials about hosting the world-class casino the OLG has pledged to build in the Greater Toronto Area.

“We need to gather information and see what the opportunities might be for our municipality,” Bratina said in an email to the Globe. “We also need to know what impact any new gaming opportunity would mean to the horse racing industry in Flamborough, which is an integral part of Hamilton’s agricultural sector.”

However, there are already signs that Bratina may be unsuccessful. OLG chair Paul Godfrey said last month the Hamilton area is not being considered for the casino, the marquee element of the OLG’s plans to modernize its operations.

And councillors are already raising concerns about the mayor’s decision to pursue a casino without their direction.

“I would hope the mayor would consult with council prior to committing to an endeavour that may not be supported by council, thereby deeming his comments worthless,” said Councillor Sam Merulla. Bratina wouldn’t offer any additional comment or explanation to The Spectator.

“The mayor’s quotes in the Globe and Mail are accurate,” said Bratina’s chief of staff, Peggy Chapman, in an email to The Spectator on Friday. “There is nothing more to add at this time. The upcoming meeting with OLG will bring more information for council.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)